Guidance from other agencies

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) oversees advertising in all media other than candidate or party election advertisements broadcast on TV and radio.

Election advertising must comply with the ASA Codes of Practice. The ASA website has more information about the codes and how to make a complaint.

The ASA has produced a Guide to election advertising to assist candidates, parties, advocacy groups and others to understand the ASA’s role in supporting responsible election advertising.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) is responsible for administering the Election Programmes Code for candidate and party advertisements on TV and radio.

The BSA has a quick guide to election programmes and guidance for political parties.

The BSA website has more information about the standards and how to make a complaint.

The New Zealand Media Council oversees its members, which include publications and news websites.

If you want to complain about editorial content, you must go to the publisher first. If you can’t resolve your complaint, you can go to the Council.

The Media Council website has more information about its members, and how to make a complaint.

If you have any questions or complaints about the placement of election signs, talk to the local council of the area the sign is in.

The Local Government New Zealand website has council boundary maps and links to all local councils. 

Waka Kotahi must approve general election signs that will be placed on or next to state highways and signs must comply with the Waka Kotahi general election sign guidance. Further information is available here.  

Te Kawa Maataho Public Service Commission produces election year guidance for the public sector.

Their guidance includes advice for public servants standing for Parliament, including taking leave and returning to work. 

It is important that all candidates understand and consider the potential risks related to privacy, cyber security, personal security and foreign interference that may arise due to election related activities.

The security advice in this document has been put together to provide visibility of potential privacy and security issues, and to explain mitigations that can be put in place.

Contact details and additional resources and links are available at the end of each section.

This advice was produced prior to the 2023 General Election by a sub-group of the Major Events Security Committee to provide visibility of potential privacy and security issues, and to explain mitigations that can be put in place.

Security advice for 2023 Election Candidates